RENO- Aces are one win away from punching their first ticket ever into the Pacific Coast League Playoffs. The Fresno Grizzlies come into town for a four game series. With Reno having a seven game lead over second place Tacoma and only eight games left to play, the Aces have all but wrapped up their spot in the playoffs. All it would take is an Aces win or a Tacoma loss.
Well, it happened, the Aces beat the Grizzles 5-2 on Monday night for their first ever playoff berth.
Both teams got a quick start by each scoring 2 runs in the first two innings. With the game tied at 2-2 in the 5th inning, Aces' third baseman Cody Ransom came to the plate with a runner on and put one onto the train-tracks over the left field wall to put Reno up 4-2.
Reno was able to get to Fresno starter LHP Geno Espineli as he went 6 innings giving up 6 hits, 4 runs on 3 walks with 1 strikeout.
The Aces were backed by a solid outing by starter RHP Barry Enright who went 7 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 runs on 4 walks with 1 strikeout.
Enright got the win as Espinelli got the loss. Ryan Cook came in the 9th to record the save and pitch the Aces into the playoffs.
Playoff tickets are on sale at renoaces.com and are going fast. The Aces will play the Sacramento River Cats in the first round starting September 7th at Aces Ballpark. Congratulations to the Reno Aces 2011 Pacific North Division Champions!